overextend

verb

over·​ex·​tend ˌō-vər-ik-ˈstend 

overextended; overextending; overextends

transitive verb

: to extend or expand beyond a safe or reasonable point

especially : to commit (oneself) financially beyond what can be paid

When the interest rate went up, he found he'd overextended himself.

overextension

ˌō-vər-ik-ˈsten(t)-shən 

noun

Examples of overextend in a Sentence

He overextended a muscle in his arm.

Recent Examples on the Web

One person may be disappointed by your choice, but overextending yourself could create a bigger mess. — Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 20 Sep. 2026

Still, Gallo said OCPS did not overextend itself with a building program that added 71 new schools in the last twenty years. — Steven Walker, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Sep. 2026

Georgia was able to get plenty of players game action and not overextend several key members of the team. — Connor Riley, AJC.com, 8 Sep. 2026

The result is controlled rather than chaotic, driven by confidence that never needs to overextend itself. — Brittney Williams, Billboard, 25 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1859, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing overextend

• overextend oneself

Rhymes for overextend

• superintend
• amend
• append
• ascend
• attend
• backend
• befriend
• boyfriend
• commend
• compend
• contend
• defend

Kids Definition

overextend

verb

over·​ex·​tend ˌō-vər-ik-ˈstend 

: to extend or expand beyond a safe or reasonable point

especially : to commit (oneself) financially beyond what can be paid

overextension

-ˈsten-shən 

noun

Medical Definition

overextend

transitive verb

over·​ex·​tend ˌō-və-rik-ˈstend 

: to extend too far

overextend the back

overextension

-ˈsten-chən 

noun